Council Postponing Transportation Master Plan

A pedestrian takes a stroll on the Devonian Trail along River Road. (Photo Alex McCuaig)

Council will be delaying acceptance of the Transportation Master Plan to the end of the year following a motion which passed unanimously Tuesday.

The plan development was first introduced during budget discussions in December 2022, receiving $500,000 in funding including for two accompanying strategy documents for active transportation and transportation safety.

During administration’s presentation to council last spring and subsequent backlash during a public hearing, re-introduction of the plan was put off until early this year.

Tuesday’s motion by Coun. Dan Reynish effectively pushes that timeline back to allow for more engagement generally and specifically for a redesigned Riverside corridor on Third Street north.

“We want to talk to people about why. Why we’re doing this now. Why are we doing it now. Why are we doing it next year. Why,” said Reynish during questions following Tuesday’s meeting.

Coun. Dan Reynish.

He said that goes for those who want to discuss the upcoming Riverside corridor design or rehashing the redesign of Division Avenue completed last year.

Reynish said he and fellow councillors Ted Clugston and Brian Varga met with a dozen seniors where the Division Avenue redesign was raised as an issue.

“They were constantly talking about Division Avenue and how it doesn’t work for them. And I asked them how many have actually driven on Division Avenue. Not one of them had driven on Division Avenue,” said Reynish. “So, we’re dealing with too many citizens who don’t know the why.”

He added the delay in adopting the plan will allow time to answer those concerns.

“It matters how you engage,” said Mayor Clark. “And so were looking forward to working through our next project, Third Street, to really home in on how we need to engage our community and what information we need to provide, how we receive information.”

Regarding the length of time it’s taken since the plan’s inception, Clark said, “we want to get it right. This is a long-term plan.”

She said council heard public concerns regarding its engagement methods during the election and it’s willing to pivot to address them.

“We’re learning from the previous engagement, and I think community and council want to build trust with each other. I think this is a great opportunity to do that,” she said.

The Transportation Master Plan is now expected to come back to council by December at the latest.